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Pet Insurance: How To Help Your Pets Live Their Best Lives

Lori Ennis
by Lori Ennis
Published:  August 25th, 2020

The only bad thing we could ever say about our beloved pets is that they just don’t get to stay with us for as long as we’d wish. And while that’s true, there are things we can do to ensure their time with us is quality, and that we have them for as long as we can! Knowing how to take care of our pets better can make a big difference in the time they have with us, and making sure we’re able to take care of them well includes the best pet insurance plans for their needs.


We love our pets; they’re part of our family. As such, we want to do all we can to make sure they stay just as healthy and happy as possible. Being a pet parent means taking responsibility for the life of another creature, and these tips will help make sure your furry (or feathered or finned) friends live their best lives every day.


1. Make them known with proper ID. There’s nothing worse than seeing a little furry friend on the side of the road, lost and lonely and no identification. A safe collar and identification tag, as well as microchipping (because collars fall off) can mean that someone will always be able to reunite you and your pet if they somehow dash out the door. Remember to update information on the ID and microchip as it changes.


2. Feed them well. Gone are the days where people think that what we put into pet food doesn’t really matter because they’re ‘just a…dog/cat/iguana…’ with guts of steel. While it’s true that our pets ‘guts are pretty hearty, they’re also the center of a pets’ health universe (just like in humans). Like in humans, feeding them the right food fuels them, and you want to make sure that you choose the best food for their breed, activity level, health conditions, and needs.

3. Party On—Socialization and training matter. They really do. When you have a pet, you need to make sure that they’re properly trained and socialized so they can live their best lives. Pets who have structure and routine tend to thrive; they love pleasing their parents. Training can go a long way toward the bond between you and your pet, and socialization is key for your pet (and you) to enjoy playdates and interaction with others. The happier your pet is, the happier you are, and training and socialization go a long way in those efforts.


4. Spay or Neuter for their health. While there is some debate on the proper time to do so in dogs and cats, most veterinarians agree that spaying or neutering your pets can eliminate many potential health problems. Spaying or neutering will often reduce aggression in both cats and dogs. It also can help prevent certain cancers or needs for gynecological surgeries. Additionally, though for cats and dogs particularly, if something should happen and they accidentally become pregnant (or impregnate), we have more unplanned pregnancy issues. It’s not as common to spay or neuter horses or birds, but many vets will suggest you do so for many female reptilian pets for similar reasons you would cats or dogs.

5. Exercise them. No, your pet gecko is probably not going to be catching any frisbees you throw, but they need exercise too. Pets require physical activity to keep their bodies looking buff, and while that may look different in each pet, exercise is a key way to keeping their bodies in shape for staying with you for the long haul. Plus, exercise for pets usually involves us, their humans, and that just means we get more quality time with them.

6. Find and Friend a Veterinarian. Our pets simply don’t live as long as we do. Even pets with longer lifespans will still most likely cross the Rainbow Bridge before we do, and taking them to the veterinarian for regular checkups at least once or twice a year is a must-do. The veterinarian will be able to assess and watch any issues that may shorten their lifespans, and they’ll also be able to simply keep them healthy in their day-to-day lives. Your veterinarian will be the one to talk to you about important immunizations and vaccinations that will keep them safe from life-impacting diseases, as well as the ones who continue to treat them as they move into their senior days with senior needs. The veterinarian is to our pets as the pediatrician is to human children, and they’re often the first ones to know there’s something we need to do to keep our pets in tip-top shape.


7. Put Pet Insurance In Place. We just can’t stress this enough. The sad reality of pet parenting is that health decisions for your pet all too often come down to whether or not you can afford to make the one that’s in the best interest of your pet. No pet parent ever wants to have to decide between treating for hip dysplasia or euthanasia because their pet’s pain is so bad. Veterinary care is necessary, but depending on your pet’s condition, the average vet bill can range from $500-$3000. Accidents happen to our pets too, and the last thing you want in a traumatic situation of worry is to think about how you’ll pay for whatever your pet needs to be healthy again.


How Can You Find The Best Pet Insurance?


Pet insurance acts in similar ways to human insurance, but with a few differences. Like humans, you apply to a pet insurance company and look into what kind of coverage and plans they can offer your pet based on age, health, and more. Most pet insurance companies have a handful of available plans, from basic to premium, and you’ll pay different tier levels for those plans based on what you choose.


Typically, you want to find an insurance plan that covers injury, illness and accidents. Some pet parents like pet insurance plans that also include payouts for preventative/wellness issues like annual checkups, bloodwork and vaccination. You can look through the different coverage options to see what best fits your budget, and then you’ll typically be responsible for a monthly premium to maintain coverage.


The thing is, there are several different pet insurance companies and plans out there. It’s hard to go back and forth looking at coverages, pricing and so forth. That’s why we love BestPetInsurance.com. It’s a fantastic comparison website that does all the hard work of comparing pet insurance plans for you. They help pet parents find the right insurance plans for their unique needs, and give you some reference for specific issues as well. They know that having a pet insurance policy in place for your cat, dog, bird or hamster, even, means that you’re ensuring your pet’s longevity and health and they help you do so with concise comparison options and information. On their comprehensive site, you can look at the reviews for several mainstream pet insurance providers and quickly and easily decide which plans would fit your needs.


No one ever wants to lose their best friend because they couldn’t afford to keep them alive, and pet insurance is the way to make sure that never happens. Bestpetinsurance.com lets you find the best pet insurance for your pets, and that means they help your pets live their best lives too.

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Lori Ennis
Lori Ennis

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Britain's Beloved Breed, the Scottish Terrier, Faces Extinction

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Study Finds That Cats Have Hundreds of Facial Expressions

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A senior dog found living in the woods in the U.K. has been rescued and is now looking for a loving home.The dog, named Rose, was first spotted near Crawley Down in West Sussex, England. The Lost Dog Recovery UK South shared in a social media post that they’ve received a message from a concerned member of the public about a small black dog running in the road.The person who saw the dog “stopped the traffic” and let the pooch disappear into the woods, knowing it’s best not to follow. After visiting the nearest property, the person learned that locals were familiar with the dog and that drivers often stopped by saying that the pooch had been on the road. The locals explained that the dog was a stray fed by people.The individual who spotted the dog was troubled by the idea of a dog living in the woods and contacted the Lost Dog Recovery rescue organization with this information. Knowing that this could be a case of an “owned dog allowed to roam” the organization decided to investigate by setting out food for the pooch along with cameras to track its movements. The dog was caught on camera five times in two days and by the third day appeared to be waiting for meals.The organization also talked with residents in the area about the dog and were told that the dog was a stray who lived locally for about ten years. The residents also said that the dog should be left alone because was in good condition, fed, and cared for. After talking about this situation with another household, which has been leaving food for wildlife and were allegedly responsible for the dog’s care, the rescue decided to help the dog. Over the following week, the organization established a feeding schedule and confirmed that the pooch was indeed a senior dog. They set a trap for the dog by serving a warm roast chicken and managed to catch her.“Understandably she was shocked and scared, but very gentle, and was taken immediately to the warmth and safety of kennels,” the organization shared.  After taking her to the kennels, the organization made a shocking discovery - the dog was microchipped! Her name was Rose and she had gone missing from her owners less than 24 hours after they adopted her in 2017! A now 12-year-old Patterdale terrier, Rose, has gone missing from Ashurst Woods, located only six miles away from Crawley Down, where the organization found her. Unfortunately, there was no happy reunion for Rose. The organization managed to contact Rose’s registered owners, but they explained that they were in no position to take her back since their circumstances had changed dramatically and they had moved away. “After the initial shock, our absolute joy at finding a long-lost dog is tinged with sadness as there is no happy reunion for Rose; she never got the chance to know the love of her family,” the organization said in a post. They added that Rose is going to need time, patience, and rehabilitation, and being a senior dog she’ll likely need ongoing vet care and medication. Rose is going to be cared for by Last Chance Animal Rescue in Edenbridge, U.K. After sharing Rose’s story, the rescue received several inquiries about her from families willing to adopt her and give her a safe, warm, and loving home.“Please don’t leave a dog straying for longer than they have to be...not only for them and their wellbeing but also for the sake of humans who love them,” the organization added. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Check Out Giant Dogs On the Free 2024 Calendar of the Portland USACE

Who knew that calendars featuring gigantic cats could be such a hit! Last year, the Pacific Northwest-based U.S. military personnel issued their own calendars which featured enormous kitties that oversaw construction projects making a seemingly ordinary calendar - a ton of fun. Needless to say, their hilarious (and completely free) calendar went viral, so they wanted to repeat last year’s success. This year, however, the Portland branch of the US Army Corps of Engineers, which is based in Oregon, decided to “branch out”, and their new yearly 2024 calendar will feature gigantic doggos as well. This was a logical follow-up to their viral social media campaign of the previous year, when kittens stole the show. The personnel of this military branch handles tough civil works in the whole of Oregon and southwestern Washington, so a bit of lighthearted humor really goes a long way for them. Their staff got the idea of superimposing photos of cats and dogs into quality landscape photos of the most important public infrastructure projects that the teams were involved with. The idea was an instant hit. And now, their 2024 calendars in both cat and dog editions can be freely downloaded in a PDF format, allowing quick and easy printing. You can find the dog calendar here and the cat calendar here.“This product was created to tell the story of our district and what we do in a way that’s actually enjoyable for the average member of the public,” Portland district spokesman Chris Gaylord said. Mr. Gaylord further said that the whole project was their effort to portray an otherwise rough and industrial work in a more entertaining light. And it is also a way for the workers to get some steam off as well. After all, they are busy throughout the year, operating more than 700 dams and 12,000 miles of inland waterways. “It was really so inspiring to see how much joy this little product brought to people all over the world,” Gaylord said, after their first calendar “won over the internet”, getting an incredible 530,000 downloads on their website. To make matters even more memorable, the photos of the pets are from the employees themselves! Gaylord received almost 750 photos from 150 workers. Choosing just a few to include in the calendar was no easy task. But to make everyone satisfied, a page at the end of the calendar includes a grid with most of the pets that did not make it onto the big pages. What do you think – which pooch of the month is your fave?

Technology Tracking Dogs Really Are a Thing

We’ve all heard of dogs that can sniff out drugs and explosives or locate missing persons from a simple whiff of their clothing… but what’s all this about technology trackers? Can I seriously teach my pooch to hunt down the TV remote that went missing over the weekend? Actually, it’s not that kind of technology. You see, this highly specialized dog is trained to detect a compound called triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) and with a dog’s approximately 400 million olfactory receptors (humans have closer to 50 million) these super sleuths can smell that stuff through pocket material, duffle bags, a shoe insole, and even drywall. Now, if you’re wondering what TPPO is, it’s the compound used to cover circuit boards in storage devices ranging from hard drives to USB sticks, memory cards and even those tiny SIM cards that store data on our cellphones. Essentially, it’s the all-important coating that prevents these gadgets from overheating and because of that, it’s a compound that will never not be present on electronic devices.But as to why this specific training is growing in K9 units worldwide you need to consider the increase in cyber-terrorism. From drug and human trafficking to child pornography and weapons offences, the need to locate a criminal’s “tools of the trade” such as computers, burner phones, and hard drives is essential to securing a successful conviction. And while internet use and location trackers have made it easy to trail an individual, many perpetrators now work on darknets – an overlay that uses the internet but requires special software for the person to access illicit data.Of course, even a darknet involves a computer system and that’s where the TPPO-sniffing pooch steps up to the plate. Find the perp and let this specially trained K9 agent track down the concealed storage system. I mean, when you’re dealing with something as easily hidden as a SIM card, having a secret furry weapon that detects the scent, then sits, barks and wags his tail saves a heck of a lot of time.Truth is, technology-tracking dogs are becoming more and more common in the execution of this type of warrant because police often get just one shot at finding the much-needed evidence. No surprise that the best dogs for this type of work tend to be the usual suspects – Labrador retrievers because of their heightened sensory skills, innate hunting traits and their gentle disposition – important if there are younger family members present during a search. Other faves include the stately Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd dogs for their tenacity and handler loyalty. I’m not convinced my Schnoodles would rank but as with most family pooches, they’re ace at hunting down an errant chip between the sofa cushions… and that’s good enough for me.

Watch This Brave Cat Save Her Dog Sibling from a Coyote Attack

Who said that there is no love between cats and dogs? This touching story proves that some bonds between a cat and a dog are so strong that one would risk their life for the other! The event took place in Edmond, Oklahoma, where a tiny pooch was miraculously saved from a vicious coyote attack– by none other than a feisty cat. At first glance, Oakley, a white Havanese dog, and Binx, a black cat, seem to belong to completely different worlds. But even so, they are family. Lane Dyer, the owner of the two, explains for Oklahoma News how the attack - and the daring rescue - came to be.“I was kind of inspired by it, quite frankly,” she said. The event occurred on November 30th, when the 6-year-old Havanese dog, Oakley, was let outside to go to the bathroom. “Out of nowhere she was attacked by a coyote,” said Dyer. Soon enough, another coyote came rushing.

Are Dogs Smarter than Cats?

The rivalry between cats and dogs is an age-old thing. Many pet owners are divided in their affections, as some adore kitties, but others are strictly doggo lovers. And this rivalry poses an intriguing question – could there be a difference between cats and dogs? While both are cuddly and loveable, they are inevitably different. So, could it be possible that  dogs are smarter than cats, or vice versa? This is a popular question in the scientific world, and many tried answering it. Let’s see what they came up with.Are Dogs Smarter than Cats? For ages, the debate on the rivalry between cats and dogs has been ongoing. Ultimately, however, it all depends on how you define “smart”. Dogs are often loved for their obedience, their ability to be trained and follow commands, their unwavering loyalty, and their excellent guardian traits. Cats, on the other hand, are known for their independence, their adaptability and problem-solving skills, their free and restless spirit, and their cuddly nature. So, as we can see, while generally different in personalities, both of these animals possess certain cognitive skills – but is one smarter than the other?Recent studies have revealed that both dogs and cats possess unique cognitive abilities suited to their respective lifestyles and evolutionary histories. Meaning, they are completely different animals. Dogs, for example, originated from domesticated canines, far, far back in history. They were bred over thousands of years to work alongside humans, protect flocks, help with hunting, and guard homes. This, in turn, has likely influenced their ability to understand and communicate with us, and to be so devoted as pets. But cats are different. In stark contrast to doggos, cats have retained more of their wild instincts, allowing them to thrive in a variety of environments and situations.All of this means that you can’t really compare the intelligence of a cat and that of a dog. It’s like comparing apples and oranges – it just doesn’t go. Each animal excels in different areas and possesses different strengths. It's more accurate to appreciate the unique qualities of each species rather than trying to determine which one is "smarter."But even so, scientists tried to reach a decisive conclusion. They studied both cats and dogs and ultimately reached an answer - at least, scientifically speaking. Their research shows that dogs are smarter than cats! Some of you might find this answer surprising but don’t raise a revolt just yet. Cats are super intelligent even so. It’s just that they are likely not as smart as some dogs are. The secret is in “smartness” itself. Dogs are intelligent in their own way. They are generally more reliant on humans for problem-solving tasks, but they are adept at learning from observation and experience. They can also be trained to perform a wide range of tasks, from simple tricks to complex behaviors, such as guiding the visually impaired or detecting explosives. Cats, however, are natural hunters and possess excellent problem-solving skills. They are known for their agility, stealth, and ability to strategize when stalking their prey. In a domestic setting, cats demonstrate problem-solving abilities when navigating obstacles, finding hiding spots, and even manipulating objects to access food or toys. So, both of them have different positive traits and different types of intelligence. But it could be that dogs, with their ability to learn and obey commands, are just a tad bit smarter.

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